Rho (D) immune globulin
Quick Summary
Rho (D) immune globulin, commonly known as RhoGAM, is a medical preparation used to prevent Rh hemolytic disease in newborns. This condition can occur when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus. During pregnancy or delivery, fetal blood can enter the mother's bloodstream, causing her immune system to produce anti-Rh antibodies. These antibodies can then attack subsequent Rh-positive fetuses, leading to red blood cell destruction (hemolysis). RhoGAM, administered to Rh-negative mothers after delivery of an Rh-positive infant, miscarriage, or abortion, contains anti-RhD antibodies. These antibodies destroy any fetal Rh-positive blood cells in the mother's system before her immune system can develop its own antibodies, thus preventing sensitization and protecting future pregnancies. The Rh factor itself refers to specific antigens on red blood cells, discovered in 1940 and named after rhesus monkeys.123
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